"Good evening Joyce. You look lovely as always." Angel walked into the kitchen and set the bags down on the counter top. He turned around just in time to see Michael hide behind a wall in the hallway. Smiling, he went about emptying his purchases and waited for Michael to show himself. "Oh Joyce, I bought a kids meal for Michael. Do you think he'd like a hamburger and fries for dinner?"
Joyce watched in amusement as he grandson peaked around the corner with his eyes wide. "Oh, I don't know. Maybe he should just have a salad and some vegetables tonight. Buffy is very particular with his eating habits."
"Grandma! No true! Mommy let me. Can I have? Please?"
"I don't know sweetheart. Do you remember Angel? I think he needs to make that decision."
Michael looked up at the tall man who knew his mommy. The small child had to look straight up to see the man's face, but he wasn't scared. This man seemed to make his mommy happy and that was a good thing. "Can I, please?"
Angel could hardly say no to his son. "Have you been good today?" Michael wasted no time in nodding his head enthusiastically. "Okay, but can you wait for your mommy and I. I brought some movies. I thought we could eat together while watching one. Okay?" Again he received a nod.
"Mommy not ready. She getting pretty. Want to play?" Michael grabbed Angel's hand pulled him into the family room to play with the toys that were still strewn about from his earlier adventures.
Buffy was almost finished. She applied some light make-up before taking another look in the mirror. Her skirt and blouse were nice, yet casual enough to stay at home. She felt silly taking such meticulous care of ever detail. After all, Angel had already seen her at her worst. But that was in the past and this was a new beginning for them both. One last glance and she walked downstairs. As she passed the front door, she noticed her parents' car was gone and another parked out front. Finding the kitchen empty except for a few bags of food, she walked further back into the house. As she reached the family room, tears threatened to spill down her cheeks.
Angel was loving every moment with his son. He watched him constantly, trying to learn and memorize his mannerisms. It seemed Michael had inherited some of his traits. He tried not to laugh as the little boy picked out a book that was much too advanced for him and beg Angel to read. Seeing those eyes though, he could hardly refuse. Michael had placed himself in Angel's lap and stared at his face was he read.
Taking a closer look, Angel realized it was an old book with some torn and yellowed pages. The spine was broken long ago from constant use and there wasn't a picture or word to be found on the cover. He wondered if Michael realized what book he chose. Taking a glance at the title page, Angel was shocked. Michael had handed him a copy of Alice in Wonderland. The astonishing thing was, it had been his copy. He had purchased the book, intending to give it to Buffy, but he never had the opportunity. Things had gone from bad to worse so quickly he shuddered at the memories. With a quick thought as to how Buffy found the book, he began to read, taking his time and pointing out the small black and white etchings on some pages. Although he could hear Buffy approaching, he didn't stop reading. Instead he relished in her and Michael's presence with the promise that he would make everything up to them.
She found it hard to speak without her voice cracking. "Hi. I see someone kept you busy." Buffy regretted that she didn't have a camera to capture such a beautiful moment.. "Were you a good boy for Angel?"
"Ah ha. Angel bought me kid meal. We eat now, please? Can I have fries?" Michael looked between Angel and his mother for approval. He had yet to move from Angel's lap.
Laughing at her son's excitement and obvious approval, Buffy answered. "If Angel's ready, we can all eat. Come on." As Buffy pulled out plates and napkins, Angel brought out the food. "Why don't we bring all of this into the family room. Then you can show Angel how to use the VCR." The three settled comfortably on the couch with Michael in the middle. Angel had rented a selection of movies. Michael had never seen his mommy's favorite and insisted they watch Beauty and the Beast first. Angel found it humorous as Michael insisted and refused to be persuaded differently. It was obvious that he had inherited his mother's stubborn streak. After, he found it touching, understanding that Buffy related to the character Belle who fell in love with a cursed man. In some ways it perfectly reflected their relationship. He only dreamed of being human again, but he would be content with being human in Buffy's eyes.
By the end of the movie, Michael had moved to Angel's lap and fell asleep with his head resting on Angel's broad shoulders. Buffy lay curled up by his side. She had spent most of the movie watching Michael and Angel interact.
"Well, I guess I better put him to bed. Would you mind carrying him upstairs?" Buffy lead Angel up to Michael's room. Angel marveled at all the toys and books that littered the shelves and floor. There were so many things he didn't recognize or understand. He would need a lesson in modern children's culture if he wanted to keep up with his son.
Together, they placed him in bed. Buffy placed a kiss on his forehead as she tucked his favorite blue blanket around him. "Night baby. Sleep well."
"Night mommy. Night Angel." As his eyes drifted shut, he called out again. "Can Angel come back tomorrow?"
"We'll see sweetie. Go to sleep." Buffy didn't know who had the larger smile, Angel or Michael. She did know that is was the same smile They both shared the most brilliant smile that could break her heart or mend it in a moment.
Returning to their seats in the living room, Angel began to process all the evenings events. "He's wonderful Buffy. You have done so well with him. It's like he's a miniature version of you."
"No, he's you."
Both moved forward. Angel lifted his hands to frame her face and glide over her long silky blond hair. Watching her hazel eyes, he slowly brought his face down to hers.
TBC…